Ifah SakinahGood news for those yearning to visit the Land of Smiles! Thailand has just reduced its mandatory quarantine from 14 days to seven days for inbound travellers who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
According to Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirankul, vaccination must be administered within three months of the travel period. Moreover, inoculated visitors will have to present negative COVID-19 test results within three days of their departure.
Image credit: Sumit Chinchane
Meanwhile, tourists who have not been vaccinated but are able to show coronavirus-free certificates will only have to serve ten days of quarantine. This is a scale down from the previous 14-day quarantine at a state-approved facility. They will also be subject to two COVID-19 tests in Thailand during their stay. This new measure will come into effect next month as the kingdom looks to revive its battered tourism sector.
However, this new quarantine rule will not apply to travellers arriving from Africa. They are still required to quarantine for a fortnight as concerns about other variants of the virus emerge.
Also read: Vaccinated Against COVID-19? Here’s A List of Countries You Can Visit
Thailand may completely waive mandatory quarantine
Image credit: Mathew Schwartz
Public Health Minister Charnvirankul added that after October, if Thailand successfully inoculates 70 percent of medical personnel and at-risk groups, the country will look to relax quarantine rules further. There is even a possibility of Thailand completely waiving quarantine.
As of 8 Mar 2021, Thailand has vaccinated 27,497 people — the majority of whom are medical workers. Mass vaccination in the country is slated to commence in June. It has ordered 61 million doses in total of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Thailand’s tourism sector
In 2019, the number of international tourists arrivals in Thailand amounted to almost 40 million. In 2020, the number of foreign tourists plummeted drastically as a result of border closures and strict entry requirements.
Nevertheless, the country has also kept the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths low. As of writing, it has only recorded 26, 441 cases and 85 deaths.
Also read: Which Countries in Southeast Asia Are Open for Tourism Now? [UPDATED 2021]
With the easing of quarantine measures, will you consider paying Thailand a visit for a much-needed vacation?
